24 September 2009

By Michael Oliver, Countryside Management Delivery Branch, DARD

Although Cross Compliance permits hedge cutting from 1 September, it is best left later until late January and February.  This keeps berries on the hedge which provides a vital food source for birds through the winter. Well managed hedges also provide shelter for wildlife during the harsh weather.  

The best cutting regime is to trim half your hedges every other year, or a third of them every three years.  It is also good practice to leave some hedges uncut for five years, with just necessary light side trimming.  Modern flail cutters can easily cope with more than three years growth of hawthorn.  Managing hedges in this way will help keep them stock-proof.  

Participants in Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) agri-environment schemes must maintain a variety of hedge heights, widths and shapes by allowing suitable hedges to grow uncut and not cutting any hedge more than once in two years.  Hedges along roads may be faced when required for safety reasons.

Aim to leave hedge saplings about every 30m to mature into trees.  Avoid regular spacing of the trees and remember to mark these before cutting begins.  Try to have a mix of younger and more mature trees.  The best hedgerow tree species are those that do not cast a lot of shade such as rowan, guelder rose, and holly.  

Over successive years, aim for a slow incremental height increase of the hedge, say of 10cm every three years (only 1m over 30 years).  This is the best way of keeping the hedge dense and healthy.  It allows plentiful growth of stems and reduces twisting and rotting.  It also increases the interval before coppicing or laying will be required to rejuvenate the hedge.

For more information on hedgerow management, please contact Countryside Management Delivery Branch staff at your local DARD Office.

Notes to Editors

All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, tel: 028 9052 4619.